Disposable containers and utensils for sanitizing

Abstract

A disposable container and/or utensil including an uncoated portion and a coated portion. The coated portion includes antibacterial agents and covers a substantially larger external surface area of the disposable container than the uncoated portion. The coated container includes, but is not limited to, a cup, a cup sleeve, or a food container.

1 . A disposable container comprising:
 an uncoated portion; and   a coated portion,   wherein the coated portion covers a substantially larger external surface area of the disposable container than the uncoated portion, and   wherein the coated portion comprises antibacterial agents.   
   
   
       2 . The disposable container of  claim 1 , wherein the uncoated portion comprises substantially less antibacterial agents than the coated portion. 
   
   
       3 . The disposable container of  claim 1 , wherein the antibacterial agents of the coated portion respond to pressure, including friction. 
   
   
       4 . The disposable container of  claim 1 , wherein the antibacterial agents of the coated portion respond to temperature, including body-heat. 
   
   
       5 . The disposable container of  claim 1 , wherein the antibacterial agents are released from the coated portion of the disposable container when agitated. 
   
   
       6 . The disposable container of  claim 1 , wherein the coated portion is selectively positioned on the disposable container, such that only graspable areas of the disposable container are covered with the antibacterial agents of the coated portion. 
   
   
       7 . A disposable utensil comprising:
 an uncoated portion; and   a coated portion,   wherein the coated portion covers a substantially larger external surface area of the disposable utensil than the uncoated portion, and   wherein the coated portion comprises antibacterial agents.   
   
   
       8 . The disposable utensil of  claim 7 , wherein the uncoated portion comprises substantially less antibacterial agents than the coated portion. 
   
   
       9 . The disposable utensil of  claim 7 , wherein the antibacterial agents of the coated portion respond to pressure, including friction. 
   
   
       10 . The disposable utensil of  claim 7 , wherein the antibacterial agents of the coated portion respond to temperature, including body-heat. 
   
   
       11 . The disposable utensil of  claim 7 , wherein the antibacterial agents are released from the coated portion of the disposable utensil when agitated. 
   
   
       12 . The disposable utensil of  claim 7 , wherein the coated portion is selectively positioned on the disposable utensil, such that only graspable areas of the disposable utensil are covered with the antibacterial agents of the coated portion. 
   
   
       13 . A method of using a disposable medium to sanitize, comprising:
 contacting a surface area of the disposable medium;   affecting a coated surface of the disposable medium; and   releasing antibacterial agents from the coated surface of the disposable medium to sanitize an affecting object.   
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the disposable medium is a disposable container. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the disposable medium is a cup. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the disposable medium is a disposable utensil. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the affecting object affects the coated surface area by applying pressure, including friction. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the affecting object affects the coated surface area by applying temperature, including body-heat. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the antibacterial agents are released from the coated portion of the disposable medium when affected. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the coated portion is selectively positioned on the disposable medium, such that only graspable areas of the disposable medium are covered with the antibacterial agents.